Archive for February, 2016

Yesterday I wrote a blog asking the question “Is it sinful for Christians to drink alcohol.” I had no clue that it would be shared and read by so many people. What an honor that so many would read it. Due some godly feedback, however, I would like to shed some light on my personal preferences and convictions on the matter.

As I wrote yesterday, I am not a drinker. I really never have been and I do not ever see a time in the future where I ever will be. It is possible that if you read my blog yesterday without knowing me that it would have been easy to walk away from it thinking that the only reason that I have chosen not to drink alcohol is because I do not like the taste. However, there are many other and more important reasons than that. I would like to share four of them with you, and if you are a Christian, I would ask for you to think through some of these reasons with me.

I do not want to offend my brother (I Corinthians 8:13):

Paul told the believers in Corinth “‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful . . .” While drinking alcohol may be lawful for me, in the context in which I live, I know how divisive it can be. I would rather not drink and cause no one to stumble than to drink and cause someone to stumble in their faith because of my freedom. The fact is: we live in a different culture and context than 1st century Jerusalem. We must be sensitive to the climate in which we live. My brothers are too important to me. My witness is too important to me. I would never want to be one that causes disunity within the body. Drinking may cause disunity, but I have never known abstinence to cause it. I prefer to err on the side of the latter.

I have seen the destruction it can cause on families (Proverbs 20:1):

My mother grew up in a home where her father was a drunk. He abused not only his own body, but also my grandmother’s. This is an all too familiar story for many. In nearly 14 years of ministry I have seen it first hand as well. While people can be abusive without drinking, the fuel of alcohol has often aided in abuse and complete dismantling of households. It is a horrible sight to see. If there was no alcohol, I believe there would be less abuse and less family problems. People are still going to be people, but I do not see any reason to add fuel to the fire. There are few things worse in ministry than having to deal with the devastation that can be left because of the abuse of alcohol in a family.

Being an elder, I have been called to be above reproach (I Timothy 3:1-7):

As a pastor, two of the qualifications for the position are to be, “above reproach” and “not addicted to wine.” Being an elder is a high calling; there are higher standards. For me part of being above reproach is not only not drinking alcohol but not even having any in my home. I would hate for a member of the church to come to my home and see that I have a wine cellar stocked to the brim. To be above reproach means that there should be no valid accusation of wrongdoing that can be made. A person in my position must take this into account. The reality is that there are often assumptions made about a person (whether those assumptions are right or wrong) when you see them with alcohol. I must be above reproach, and one way that I can do that is by not drinking alcohol. To “not be addicted to wine” is not just simply another prohibition either. An elder must not have a reputation as a drinker. He must always be ready to make clear judgment, and drinking alcohol can easily impair that judgment if one is not careful.

I believe there is wisdom in creating safeguards:

There is a well known proverbial saying that states, “What one generation does in moderation, the next will do in excess.” For my family one safeguard that we have to help prevent drunkenness is to not drink at all. When Lot set his tents close to the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah, this was his first step toward his later downfall. Was it wrong for him to put his tents there? No, but the next time we hear from him he is in the town enjoying all that the cities had to offer. This is my point about alcohol. While the Bible does not prohibit all alcohol consumption, wisdom tells me to create safeguards. I believe it would simply be better to create the safeguard of abstinence than to end up looking up one day from a bar stool, hammered, and wondering what happened. This is not to say that everyone who has a sip now and then is a dunk, but for me wisdom says do not give Satan even a foothold to take me there. For the same reason that I would not take another woman out for dinner (because of what it would look like or possibly lead to), I choose not to drink. There would be nothing more enjoyable for Satan than to see a godly man fall into sin. The Lord gives us freedom for sure, but he also gives us wisdom. For me, wisdom, preference, and personal conviction say to abstain.

While I may not be a teetotaler by name, I certainly am in practice. I see the practical benefits of it for me and my witness. I would rather not offend anyone by possibly drinking. I know the harm that alcohol can cause . . . and it is deplorable. I must remember my calling, and that calling sometimes means suppressing your personal freedom for the sake of others, and I am happy to do so. I believe there is wisdom in abstaining from alcohol in this day and age. While not everyone has to agree, for me, this is what I believe is right and best.

Sunday night over 114 million people watched the Denver Broncos take on the Carolina Panthers in the 50th Annual Super Bowl. After the fairy tale ending, the Denver Broncos future Hall of Fame quarterback Payton Manning (a self-proclaimed Christian) was interviewed. When asked what was next for him he responded, “I’m going to kiss my wife, hug my family and drink a lot of Budweiser tonight. I promise you that.” This comment took many by surprise and set off a social media firestorm among Christians. Some were laughing at his comment (those who really don’t care). Some were renouncing his faith because of it (the teetotaler crowd), while others were praising him (those who are Christians and like to take a drink now and then). His comments were being talked about all over the internet and news stations across the world. If there is this much diversity when it comes to drinking alcohol within Christianity, I think it may be wise to look at what Scripture says and not just what grandma Susie thinks.

First I would like to say that I am not a drinker. To be fair, you might want to know that I grew up in a culture where if you accidentally made a wrong turn and ended up on the beer isle in the supermarket and were seen, at the next church business meeting you may very well be called upon for excommunication (maybe that is a bit of a stretch, but you get the point). Nevertheless, I have tasted a variety of different types of alcohol and it does not agree with my pallet. I do not see the purpose in drinking personally. I have been told that it is an “acquired taste” but I have no desire to acquire it. However, I know plenty of Christians that drink (some to excess, but most in moderation). Christians have agreed and disagreed about this issue for centuries, but if we want to end up on the right side of the argument we must agree with the Lord. What does Scripture actually say about it? Is it wrong to drink, or just get drunk? Should it be avoided at all times, or can it be done in moderation? Is it wrong for some and not for others, or is there a set standard found in Scripture across the board? I believe we can find all of these answer in God’s Word. Here are three things to consider before inviting your pastor over for some fresh brew or disowning and disfellowshiping your friends because they have a glass of wine at their anniversary dinner.

Is it sinful for Christians to drink alcohol?

Sometimes, yes.

There are certainly times when it is sinful to drink alcohol.

If you have taken a vow not to drink for a certain period of time or in certain places, then it is sinful to drink during those times. The Lord told Aaron and his sons not to drink wine or strong drink when they went into the tabernacle (Leviticus 10:9). If a person was to take a Nazarite vow, they were forbidden from drinking any type of intoxicating drink (Numbers 6:1-3, 20; Judges 13:4-7).

The idea of abstaining from intoxicating drinks is not just an Old Testament concept. Paul warned believers against getting drunk (Ephesians 5:18) and wrote that deacons should not be “addicted to much wine” (1 Timothy 3:8). He instructed Titus that the older women should not be “slaves to drink” (Titus 2:3). It seems that Scripture does forbid consumption at certain times; but whatever the case, drunkenness is always forbidden.

Today these things still apply. The truth of the matter is, if you are under the age of 21 in the United States it is illegal to drink (most state have small exceptions). It is illegal, and thus sinful, to violate the laws of the land (Romans 13). It is a governmental right to forbid anything that doesn’t promote human flourishing.

If drinking alcohol goes against your conscience, then it is wrong and sinful as well (Romans 14:14). For some people, drinking is simply unacceptable. If you have a deep personal conviction, then to go against that conviction would be sinful.

Likewise, if you know a weaker brother that you are around has a problem with drinking and you do it in front of them just to spite them, then it is you who are in sin. (Romans 14:13-23).

In summary, if you have made a vow not to drink and you drink, it is sin (James 5:12). If you drink to the point of drunkenness, it is sin. If you are not of age according to the governmental authority and you drink, it is sin. If you drink and it is not in good conscience, it is sin. Finally, if you drink to spite your weaker brother, this too is sinful. In these cases, yes, drinking alcohol is absolutely sinful.

Sometimes, no.

Drinking alcohol itself is not sinful according to Scripture. Jesus’ first miracle was turning water into wine (the good stuff nonetheless – John 2:10). Paul told Timothy (an elder) to “take a little wine for your stomach sake” (I Timothy 5:23). Melchizedek drank alcohol and it was blessed (Genesis 14:8). The clearest prohibition in Scripture is that a person is to NEVER get drunk on it (and I would add that being “tipsy” is stage one of drunkenness). Scripture says that wine is good (Psalm 104:15), but all too often people take what is good and turn it bad and into something sinful. It appears that Scripture is okay with the consumption of alcohol as long as it is done in moderation and with respect for others. So, is it okay to burst out that bottle of champaign to celebrate your wedding nuptials? As long as it meets the scriptural criteria, it appears to be permissible.

Using Discernment:

Now, before you go and crack open that long-neck bottle, I would like to offer a few caveats.

Just because you can, does not mean that you should (I Corinthians 6:12). You may have the freedom in Christ and by the government to drink but you should first ask yourself, “Why am I doing this?”, “Can this bring glory to God?” If you cannot come up with a good answer, then maybe you should put the top back on the bottle.

If you know you have a tendency to take things to excess, then you should simply stay away. Paul says that he will not let anything master him. If you have had a problem with alcohol in the past, wisdom would say to stay away from it altogether (Proverbs 20:1).

Will this help or hinder your witness? Your personal witness is a big deal. It has been said that it takes years to build your witness, and only seconds to ruin it. Is taking a drink of that beer going to aid in your witness to others or will it make you lose your credibility? Unless it helps, or at least makes it remain neutral, then my advice would be to just leave it on the table.

Remember your brothers in Christ. We live in a land where not everyone agrees on this issue, so please use discernment for the sake of your fellow Christian if you decide to take a drink. Ask yourself, “Will this hurt my brother? And if so, would it be better to forgo it for something else?” While your brother may be wrong in their stance, it is not worth stirring up dissention because of your personal freedom.

Personally, I don’t care for alcohol, however that is simply my personal preference. At the same time, I do not believe it to be sinful for someone within the church to have a glass of wine for a special occasion. While I don’t drink, there are others whom I consider close brothers who have no issue with it at all. So, is it sinful for Christians to drink alcohol . . . in some cases yes, but for a person to make the blanket statement that “all drinking is sinful,” is a sin within itself. For that is calling something that God has called good, evil, and that is a dangerous place to be. My advice to you . . . whatever you decide to drink, drink it in such a way that it honors the Lord.

2016 is shaping up to be one of the wildest election years in American history. I also believe it may very well be the most important one as well. Our country is at a tipping point morally, spiritually, and financially. We have not reached the point of no return, but with another 4 to 8 years with a bad president we may well be heading that direction. The truth is no single man (or woman) will be able to pull the country back or topple it forward. The president is simply the face of the majority of Americans who decide to vote. The president’s policies come from the heart and outpouring of those who voted for him. This is one of the reasons this election matters so much. It will be a litmus test to see where we really are as a country.

Anyone that knows me knows that I am not a very political person. I do my part and vote each election year, but I leave it in the Lord’s hands. The writer of Proverbs says, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1). We are blessed to live in a country where we are offered the liberty to vote for who will rule us. This is truly a blessing. Many people in the world do not have this right or ability, and I believe we as Christians should be some of the first ones in the voting lines. However, we must not simply go there and vote party lines, or vote because Fox News or CNN has told us who a good candidate is. We need to be informed . . . not just on the person but on what they believe as well. When we go into the booth we go in as citizens of a kingdom first, and not a nation. While we are citizens in the United States, we are first citizens of the Kingdom of God, and if we are going to honor that citizenship, we must vote with that in mind first. Since we have been given such a great responsibility I think we need to be sure to remember what is most important before we punch a chad, pull a lever, or push a button. Here are 3 words to remember before you vote.

Integrity

Integrity has been defined as what you do when no one else is looking. So many politicians have made promises just simply to get a vote, only to later renege on that promise; it is almost cliché to even talk about it. The epistle writer James said “But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation” (James 5:12). Integrity is a quality that we should be looking for in a presidential candidate . . . even if the person is saying something that we disagree with, we should at least be able to trust what they are saying. There are many candidates out there that have flipped and flopped on issues more than an Olympic high-diver trying to win a gold medal. While we are not voting for a pastor and chief, the person we vote for should be a manof integrity.

Morality

There are some who want to say that morality is fluid (always changing) or is up for every individual to decide. As Christians, we know where morality comes from. It is not made or legislated on Pennsylvania Avenue. Morality is something that a moral God has given us in His divine Word. Murder is always immoral (abortion or an unjust war for example). Racism is always immoral. Stealing is always immoral. Lying is always immoral. Now, it is true that we can all fall into the trap of these sins from time to time if we are not careful, but when you recognize it as sin, it must be repented of. However, there are some candidates that have a pattern of these immoral acts, or at least support them positionally. If a candidate supports immorality or has a pattern of it themselves, should we really cast our vote for them? I don’t believe Jesus would vote for a grossly immoral candidate.

Wisdom

If a person is to be the President of the United States they need to be wise. This does not mean they have to have all the answers themselves. A wise person understands their short comings (Proverbs 11:14), and surrounds themselves with wise council (Proverbs 15:22). As Christians we do not need to vote for someone just because they speak well, or look good in a suit. We see where that got Israel when it came to King Saul (I Samuel 9:2). No, we need to look for someone who is wise, and for us we know that the beginning of wisdom starts with the fear of the Lord. Again, we are not voting for a pastor and chief, but a commander and chief . . . so they do not have to agree with every theological doctrine that we do, but for them to be a good president, wisdom must be applied.

There are many different factors that should be considered when casting our vote this coming March and November. However, when you go into your voting booth I hope that you will remember these three words; Integrity, Morality, and Wisdom. I believe this to be the most important election we have seen in our lifetime (and possibly ever). Please go out and vote. Please vote with conviction. Vote as a citizen of heaven before voting as one from the U.S. For our kingdom is not of this world . . . but while we are here let’s vote in a way that would honor our true King.